The O2 Academy Bristol has moved into the digital domain with the purchase of a new Soundcraft Vi4 from Adlib Audio. The 1600 capacity venue itself, owned by the AMG, is one of 25 O2 Academy sites across the UK. Among the first artists to play with the new set up will be London Grammar, Bombay Bicycle Club and Alkaline Trio.

The Vi4 was chosen as the update for the Soundcraft MH3 40-channel analogue desk in the main room due to its 4.7 software update that enables bi-directional show file compatibility with Vi6 and increases the Vi4 channel count from 72 to 96 channels to mix. The monitor’s usability was another pull for Matt Royston-Bishop, O2 Academy technician, who said, “We were looking for something that would be that easy to use, as it’s important all our freelancers can walk up to it quickly.” According to Royston-Bishop, the reduced frame size, with one less fader bank than the Vi6, enables the Vi4 to be ideally accommodated in Monitor World. www.soundcraft.comwww.adlib.co.uk

Adlib is one of the first companies to have invested in Soundcraft’s Si Performer – the recently-launched hybrid audio/lighting console – having bought four from Sound Technology at this year’s PLASA show.

An ensemble of 1,169 voices put together by the London Community Gospel Choir made it into the Guinness Book of Records last weekend. Their performance was mixed using 96- and 64-channel Soundcraft Vi6 consoles.